Pakistan condemns attack on prisoner in Indian jail

Islamabad, May 3 (IANS) Pakistan Friday condemned the attack on a Pakistani prisoner in an Indian jail and said it was "obvious retaliation" to the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Lahore.

"We have learnt with deep concern that a Pakistani prisoner, Sanaullah, who was serving life imprisonment in a jail in (Jammu), was attacked this (Friday) morning and as a result has received grievous injuries," the foreign ministry said.

A foreign ministry statement said the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has sought immediate consular access to visit Sanaullah, who is presently in hospital in Jammu and in a critical condition, reported Xinhua.

The statement said the attack on Sanaullah was in retaliation to the attack on Indian convict Sarabjit Singh in a Lahore jail, who died of wounds Thursday.

"This obvious retaliation to the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh is condemnable and we call upon the government of India to take all measures to ensure that Sanaullah receives the best medical treatment available, investigate the matter thoroughly and punish the perpetrators of this atrocity," the foreign ministry spokesman said.

He also reminded the Indian government of its responsibility in ensuring the safety and security of all Pakistani prisoners lodged in Indian jails.

Pakistan Thursday handed over the body of Sarabjit Singh, who was airlifted to India in a special plane.

Sarabjit Singh had been severely beaten by fellow prisoners in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore and had been admitted to a hospital, where he had been in coma since the attack April 26.